21st NGF Teleconfab On Security, CACOVID Palliatives Holds Nov 4

BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – Current unhealthy developments in the polity are pushing Nigeria’s 36 states Governors to review the internal security situation and status of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), whose activities in parts of the country led to recent nationwide demonstrations.

Also on the table is an overview from different quarters on the CACOVID palliatives flag-offs cum distribution as well as the subsequent indiscriminate looting of various warehouses nationwide by demonstrations and suspected hoodlums.

Head, Media and Public Affairs, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo said in a statement that both items are key on the invitation requesting Governors to join the 21st NGF Teleconference meeting holding on Wednesday, November 4, 2020.

The statement quoted Director General of NGF, Mr Asishana Bayo Okauru as saying the Forum Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr John Kayode Fayemi will speak on contemporary issues affecting the country since the last (20th NGF Teleconference) meeting.

It further said; “In this regard, the Ekiti State Governor will be addressing his colleagues on several issues including a feedback from the Villa on the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) counterpart funding as schools are beginning to reopen nationwide and the 50th anniversary of AREWA which took place in Kaduna at the weekend where the chairman and a host of northern governors were in attendance.”

“Also on the agenda for discussion are the HORASIS meeting with the president, a partnership between the NGF and HORASIS, a management consultants’ consortium, to set up a strong Foreign Direct Investment initiative for the country, a webinar on privatization to be jointly driven by the NSE, NGF and the NIPC among others.

“Only one presentation is on the schedule for Wednesday’s meeting. It is the Digital Curriculum Initiative for Basic and secondary Education ingeniously tagged the e-Gamma solutions Limited.”

The statement further said; “Before the floor is open for any other business, the regular updates on the SFTAS program and the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Committee which liaises between the PTF on COVID-19 and the NGF will both provide an update.”

According to the NGF Director General, Governors are expected to join the virtual meeting at 1pm as proceedings commence at 2pm prompt.